<convention, networking, messaging> /net dot/ A prefix used to describe people and events related to Usenet and the Internet. The convention dates from the time before the Great Renaming, when most non-local Usenet newsgroups had names beginning "net.". Includes net.gods, "net.goddesses" (various charismatic net.women with circles of on-line admirers), "net.lurkers" (see lurker), "net.person", "net.parties" (a synonym for boink), and many similar constructs.